When he was in sixth grade, McIntosh senior Leo Gil first picked up a trombone. It was the first instrument he had ever played. Before this, the only exposure Gil had to music-related activities was in elementary school when he was in chorus in fourth and fifth grade.

This year, Gil is the second chair in the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, just six years later.  Founded in 1988, the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony is “the premier youth wind ensemble in the Atlanta metropolitan area,” and their mission statement is to “provide positive and transformative musical experiences for talented youth musicians through high-quality instruction and exceptional music-making opportunities.” 

There were more than 300 musicians who auditioned, and Gil was one of 100 who were selected and placed on the roster. Out of the eight selected trombone players, he was placed as second chair and earned an $800 scholarship that covers his membership dues.

Before Gil’s music journey could really begin, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and halted his progress.

“I got my first trombone in sixth grade, but then I kind of quit because of [COVID-19.] So I only really started playing in eighth grade,” Gil said. 

When he first tried the trombone, he played for only about six months before Covid. Influenced by his friends, Gil picked the trombone back up after joining the McIntosh band his freshman year. 

“I kind of just joined because my friends joined,” Gil said.  

After joining, however, Gil discovered that playing the trombone was something that he was good at and this inspired him to continue playing.

“I started getting signs in my freshman year when I made All-State, I was like, ‘I’m pretty good at this. Maybe I’ll keep playing,’ and then next year I got even better. I’m like ‘Maybe I want to do this as a career?’” Gil said.  

Winning All-State would mark the moment when Gil decides to further pursue his interest in playing music. After playing the trombone his freshman year, he tried his hand at playing another brass instrument.

“I played baritone my sophomore year,” Gil said. 

Ultimately, he preferred playing the trombone, so he decided to commit to this instrument.

“I guess I kind of like how [the trombone] sounds, because it has this unique sound. It’s very rich in tone,” Gil said. 

He draws inspiration from listening to other music such as rap and classical music. A lot of his inspiration was also attributed to his friends who encouraged him to join McIntosh band in the first place. Band has provided an environment in which he could hone his craft. 

“My friends kind of influenced me to play,” Gil said. 

He also draws inspiration from knowing that it is possible to go above and beyond where he currently is in his skills. 

“I think it’s just [inspiring to hear] stories about how people start from nothing and they just go on to accomplish big things. That’s inspirational to me, at least,” Gil said. 

When Gil committed to the idea of pursuing a career in music, he started playing the trombone more seriously and dedicated a lot of time and effort into getting better at playing. 

“I mean freshman and sophomore year, I would say [I spent] 10 to 12 [hours] a week [practicing], because I wanted to be really good,” Gil said.

Being so dedicated to playing the trombone also came with some difficulties as he had to learn how to balance school and his extracurriculars.

“School in general, I won’t lie, it was pretty hard to balance. But, I kind of figured it out towards the end of freshman year. Like how I should practice and ways I should also [keep] an academic [standing],” Gil said. 

When Gil does have time outside of school and practice, he likes to spend time with friends. 

“Sometimes I go out with my friends and we just go around the city. I do play soccer and volleyball not as a sport, but just recreational,” Gil said. 

Since learning how to find the balance between school, practice and his life outside of school, Gil has cut down the amount of time he spends practicing a week nearly in half. 

“Now I only [practice] maybe five or six hours a week,” Gil said

In the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Gil will play in various locations in front of large audiences throughout the year. Even with a lot of practice, he is not immune to some level of performance anxiety.

“I mean, it is kind of nerve wracking, I won’t lie, [for] some parts [of the performance], it does get hard to breathe a little bit just because you’re nervous, but it’s overall fun to play in front of an audience, at least for me,” Gil said.

Being chosen to perform in the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony has opened many new doors for Gil and the career he intends on pursuing in the future. 

“I’ve also met so many other people, like, I know people from different schools, and it’s just really cool,” Gil said.

Gil has his sights set on going to college at the University of Georgia. 

“I’m applying [to major in] music performance right now,” Gil said.  

His first concert with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony was on Oct 5. 

“The concert went pretty well,” Gil said. 

The Atlanta Youth Wind symphony will continue to perform throughout the year. For Gil, this is another step toward his journey in which music will forever remain in his life. Gil resonates with the words attributed to music legend Quincy Jones, who played a variety of instruments throughout his life including the trombone. 

 Gil’s life will forever involve his love of music. He does not intend on ever giving up the trombone. 

“Honestly, no. No, it’s [such] a big part of my life that I don’t think I can ever give it up,” Gil said. 

And the reason is very simple. 

“I just like playing,” Gil said.